Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has firmly dismissed any plans to return to Aso Rock in 2027.
She declared her support for First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next general elections.
Jonathan made this statement during an event honoring Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and daughter of President Tinubu. The occasion was the Women Icon Leader of the Year award ceremony, organized by Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja on Saturday night.
In her remarks, Jonathan praised Tinubu-Ojo for her contributions and leadership. She also reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the First Lady’s initiatives.
Her declaration signals a significant endorsement for the Tinubu administration as they gear up for the 2027 elections.
She said, “I was supposed to call her first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in, President Bola Tinubu. Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you.”
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan added, “All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow. Because there is only one president at a time. We don’t have two presidents. I am outspoken, if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.”
“I believe in one president. I believe in turn-by-turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back, so that the country can move forward.”
Jonathan also recalled how Remi Tinubu and the president supported her and her husband when they contested for the presidency in 2011.
She insisted that rather than return to Aso Rock, she would support the First Lady and her husband.
She said, “I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group.
“We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife. We worked when I was a governor’s wife. I know her. I talked with Oluremi. Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election. They supported us. So, for me, I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.
“Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn—I will go. Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn—then we go. And when we go, will we still meet? Where will we meet? I don’t know.
“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.”
